UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 12 February 2007

This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide you with information about the security situation around the country.

Yesterday, in the morning a large group of people got involved in a fighting in Bairro Pite. The police units and FPU had to intervene and arrested one person, who was in possession of illegal weapons. In the afternoon, a rock throwing incident involving about 500 people erupted in the same location. Three people were arrested by the Malaysian FPU. During this incident a boy, 13 years of age, was found seriously wounded, stabbed in three different locations of his body. He was taken to the National Hospital in a life threatening condition.

During yesterday’s morning rock throwing incidents were reported on the following locations: Bemori, Taibessi, Heroes Park – Santa Cruz.

During the afternoon, fightings occurred in Fatuhada, Bidau Santana and Santa Cruz. These incidents caused one injured and six local males were arrested for possession of offensive weapons and rock throwing.

In Hudilaran, during the afternoon, a fight between two martial art groups was reported. A young Timorese male of 17 years old was found dead. His death was caused by severe machete wounds on his body. During the incident, that involved a large number of people, two houses were set on fire.

In the Ermera market, in Ermera district, during the afternoon, a large fight resulted in the death of one male, who was stabbed with a knife.

Today, a convoy of 12 trucks with people who wanted to attend Lobato trial came from Liquica. UNPol escorted the convoy into Dili. In Comoro Road the convoy was targeted by rock throwers. One male fell off one of the trucks and was transported to Bairro Pite Clinic. He subsequently died of injuries sustained. During the day, fightings were reported in several locations around dili, namely Bairro Pite, Comoro Road and Fatuhada.

We advise people to restrain their movements in the most affected areas, and to call the police whenever they identify any signal of conflict. Use 112 or 7230365, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This has been a daily broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste, for the people of Timor-Leste